Nick Foles will start next week against the Carolina Panthers

Michael Vick will get the first start of the preseason at quarterback for the Eagles Friday night against the New England Patriots in Philadelphia, head coach Chip Kelly announced Thursday.

Nick Foles, competing with Vick and rookie Matt Barkley for the job, will start the second preseason game next Thursday in Philadelphia against Carolina, Kelly told reporters after the Eagles and Patriots’ joint practice ended at the Eagles’ practice facility.

Nick Foles and Michael Vick will alternate first-team possessions in Friday's preseason game against the Patriots. (AP photo)

Barkley will play in the second and third quarters Friday, Kelly said.

"It doesn't mean anything," Vick told reporters Thursday, according to the Eagles’ website. "The only thing I want to do is go out there and have fun. Play the game, play with a purpose. Enjoy every snap. Try to make the most out of it as long as I'm out there and just try to be consistent like I have throughout camp and have fun playing the game."

Vick and Foles will alternate possessions with the first-team offense in the first quarter Friday, Kelly said, reiterating what he had said Thursday, when he had briefly put off announcing the starter. Kelly had insisted that too much not be read into who starts the first few games.

“Whoever takes the first rep, let’s not anoint them as anything. Someone’s got to be the first guy,’’ Kelly said Thursday. “We have to have someone start the game, but I wouldn’t say the guy that starts the game is going to be the starer overall lin general as we get going on September 9. But how do we divvy up Mike and Nick’s snaps? We’ll try to make that as even as possible.’’